PM Modi Arrives In Ethiopia On First-Ever State Visit; Focus On Global South Ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday arrived in Addis Ababa, marking a decisive diplomatic moment as he began the second leg of his three-nation tour with his first-ever State Visit to Ethiopia.

In a warm and symbolic gesture, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali personally received PM Modi at the airport, underlining the growing political warmth and strategic depth between the two nations.

The visit, held at the invitation of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, places India-Ethiopia relations firmly in strategic focus. It reflects New Delhi’s expanding engagement with Africa and its broader commitment to shaping a cooperative, development-driven Global South.

Addis Ababa, a diplomatic nerve centre as the headquarters of the African Union, provided a fitting backdrop for India’s renewed outreach.

During the two-day visit, PM Modi will hold wide-ranging talks with Abiy Ahmed covering the full spectrum of bilateral engagement.

The discussions will span political cooperation, development partnerships, trade and investment, capacity building, and people-to-people ties.

Both leaders are expected to reaffirm their shared priorities as Global South partners, with an emphasis on inclusive growth, mutual respect, and long-term collaboration.

PM Modi will also meet members of the Indian diaspora, acknowledging their role as a bridge between the two societies.

In a major diplomatic highlight, he will address a Joint Session of the Ethiopian Parliament, where he is expected to outline India’s democratic journey and its vision for South-South cooperation.

Warm Public Welcome in Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa has rolled out a visible welcome, with Indian flags, banners, and hoardings lining key routes in the capital.

This visit marks the first by an Indian Prime Minister to Ethiopia since 2011 and comes at a time when India is actively strengthening ties with African nations.

In his departure statement, PM Modi highlighted Ethiopia’s importance as the seat of the African Union and recalled India’s role during its G20 Presidency in 2023, when the African Union gained permanent membership of the G20. He framed the visit as an opportunity to align democratic values with development priorities.

“I look forward to sharing India’s experience as the ‘Mother of Democracy’ and exploring how the India-Ethiopia partnership can add value to the Global South,” PM Modi said ahead of the visit.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has previously participated in the Voice of Global South summits, reinforcing policy convergence between the two sides.

PM Modi arrived in Ethiopia after concluding a productive two-day visit to Jordan, where he met King Abdullah II and Crown Prince Al-Hussein bin Abdullah II, addressed the India-Jordan Business Forum, and visited the Jordan Museum.

He described the Jordan leg as outcome-oriented, citing progress in renewable energy, water management, digital transformation, and cultural cooperation.

With Ethiopia now in focus, PM Modi’s Africa outreach sends a clear signal: India intends to move beyond symbolism and invest politically, economically, and diplomatically in partnerships that shape the future of the Global South.

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